The image of Eden Hazard on the Madrid bench has been a fixture in recent weeks. Of the last 960 minutes of play, the Red Devil watched from the sidelines for 930 minutes.
More than a month ago – in the 2-1 win against Rayo Vallecano on November 6 – he was on the field again in La Liga. In the last 5 games he was not in the plans of coach Carlo Ancelotti (although he did miss 2 duels due to illness).
For Eden Hazard’s last starting spot, we have to go back to September 28 against Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League. Not exactly what Hazard had expected when he was brought in as a big star by the Royal in 2019 (with a price tag of 100 million euros).
Not Hazard, but 21-year-old Vinicius Junior excels with his dribbles and accelerations on the left flank at Real. This season he has already scored twice as many (12 goals) than last year.
With the Brazilian in top form, Hazard has to settle for a role as a substitute for his beloved position or as a changer on the right. Hazard was allowed to show up for 21 minutes against Osasuna at the end of October as a replacement for Marco Asensio on the right.
That is exactly where opportunities lie for our compatriot this weekend. Because after Modric and Marcelo, Bale, Asensio and Rodrygo, among others, have tested positive for the corona virus. Carlo Ancelotti can therefore not count on his three favorite choices on the right wing.
This leaves two options: Lucas Vazquez or Hazard. Vazquez already took the place of Rodrygo earlier this season, but he will probably have to move down a row, because Carvajal is doubtful.
The Spanish newspapers Marca and AS are clear: “It’s now or never”. In other words: if Hazard gets a chance, he will have to throw himself 300 percent. “The worst-case scenario would be that Isco or a youngster is even higher in the pecking order than Hazard,” it sounds.
If Hazard doesn’t get a chance at home against Cadiz on Sunday evening, coach Carlo Ancelotti will send a very clear message with the winter mercato in prospect.
The Italian is not a fan of transfers during the season. “But if players are unhappy, we can think about it,” was the unmistakable message earlier this month.
Lille, where Hazard broke through at the highest level, has already left its door ajar for a temporary solution for the Red Devil. If Ancelotti does not give Hazard a chance to play on Sunday, he will kick that door wide open.
